Luka Modric insists Croatia-Denmark clash isn't all about himself and Christian Eriksen
Luka Modric insists his midfield battle with Christian Eriksen will be just a sub-plot when Croatia and Denmark clash for a place in the World Cup quarter-finals.
The Tottenham playmakers past and present hold down important roles for their national sides, with Modric outstanding for Croatia so far at Russia 2018 and Eriksen Denmark's main attacking threat.
Given their high profiles, plenty of focus has fallen on how they will get on in Nizhny Novgorod, with their rivalry widely portrayed as being crucial to how Sunday's game will unfold.
Asked about Eriksen, Modric said: "I don't like to compare players, particularly to compare others with myself.
"What I can say about Eriksen is he's a fantastic player, a world-class player. He's played a fantastic season at Tottenham. He's the most important player for Denmark.
"What will decide the game will be how the teams perform as teams. No individual can do it on their own. Individuals can dictate certain incidents but the most important thing is how we perform as a team on the pitch."
Modric added: "Of course, this is an important game for us.
"We've played fantastically in the group stage, we must be proud of that, but this new game makes us forget all that went before and try to translate what we've already done to Sunday's game."
Croatia have not gone past the World Cup group stage since 1998, when they were semi-finalists in France and only edged out by the hosts.
"It will be a stern test for us," Modric said. "It is high time this generation cleared this obstacle.
"I expect us to be capable of doing that."
Coach Zlatko Dalic was asked about the prospect of Modric, who has played his club football for Real Madrid since 2012, going on to be voted player of the tournament.
"I would be the happiest man on Earth because it would mean Croatia have done something significant," Dalic said, "so God willing it will be so."